The Wanganui Chronicle. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1949 RUSSIA HAS THE ATOMIC BOMB

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 October 1949, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1949 RUSSIA HAS THE ATOMIC BOMB

JT should come as no surprise that Russia now possesses an atomic bomb, for it was anticipated, when the American Government’s experts completed the process of controlling this explosion, that this achievement gave to them a two years’ start over the rest of the world. Now that Russia has attained this much success—if it be success—it is desirable that the effort be renewed to bring atomic energy under international control. Hitherto Russia seems to have laboured under the feeling of inferiority in that America had this terrible and terrifying weapon whereas the Soviet Union had it not. If this sense of disadvantage was the root cause of the inability of Russia to come to any sort of agreement on the subject of atomic energy control then that radical element in the situation has at least been modified. While Russia has achieved the success of exploding an atomic bomb—under what conditions such explosion occurred has not yet been revealed—it must be remembered that neither the U.S.A, nor the United Kingdom has stood still in this field and the advantages of the early start which America enjoyed through receiving the full information from the United Kingdom are still operative. Will the improvement in technical advantages and processes continue to be operative to disrupt efforts to bring about a general agreement as to a method of control? Time alone will tell, but at the moment it is not a reassuring picture that is presented to the world. Russia’s great stumbling block in the past has been her unwillingness to open her country for inspection by an international body with a view to assuring the world that any international convention on the subject of control is being fully respected. Russia’s persecution phobia has been fostered for years, extending back to the first days of the Bolshevik revolution and it is asking too much that this complex so long and carefully fostered shall disappear overnight. The advantages jviiieh America and Britain enjoy, and particularly their ability to co-operate with each other, will be used as propaganda points by those who feel it their duty to the Russian people to keep them apart from the community of the peoples of the world. On the whole it does hot appear likely that success will be attained by the direct approach to Russia on the atomic energy issue although that does not mean the effort should be abandoned. At least the American invitation to Russia to formulate a policy places the responsibility upon Russia for the decision either to co-operate ox- to refrain from doing so. If, however, some other ground of approach could be developed it is possible that further understanding would develop. At the moment the only avenue which promises ally success at all is in the field of commerce. While administratively the Russians are capable of making some strange decisions they do in the main keep their side of the bargain and in so doing come to learn that the other side of the bargain is also to be kept by the British. While Russia’s political thinking seems to be entirely divorced from her economic thinking the economic or trading relations are not likely to lead speedily to the desired results, but while this avenue of approach is not immediately promising it is certainly a link of value apart from the business side of things. Cultural approaches are regarded as propaganda efforts while religious approaches seem to be at the moment impossible. The possibility of the Greek Orthodox Church providing a bridge between the Slav mass in Europe and the peoples of the west cannot be left out of account. This ancient Church, with its connections with the West as well as its parental influence in the East, may prove to be a very valuable element in the developing of a more satisfactory atmosphere inside Europe. Meanwhile Russia may contemplate the cost of her atomic experiments, the improbability of her being able to reduce the lead of America. Should she do so and set these factors against the established fact that during the years of America’s possession of the secrets of manufacture Russia suffered no harm, the position generally may improve. Why, then, continue to fear that which is less to be feared in the future than it might have been justified to be feared inutile immediate past? How Russia’s rulers will answer that question will shape the course of the future of international relations.

ORGANISING SUNDAY CONCERTS

COUNCILLOR G. P. HAWKINS’ tribute to the Town Clerk, Mr. C. R. White, for undertaking the organising of a series of Sunday concerts during the winter was well merited. The executive officers of the City Council have been called upon in recent years to undertake many tasks and they could be excused if they showed some tactful reluctance to engage in further extra duties. In the ease of Mr. White he has for long held himself at the disposal of the Church of England, being the lay-reader who has been longest in continuous service in the city, and being exceeded in years only by Mr. Eric Lind. For Mr. White to undertake to further occupy himself during the “day of rest” is a sacrifice of his hours of recuperation to a more than generous extent. , Most people take too easily such self-sacrificing service and it is certainly true that there are too few who are willing to follow such an example even to a limited extent. In every community, be it the comfaiunity of the nation, or- that of the city, or the more limited community of some social organisation or society, there are those who undertake work for which there is no reward but the satisfaction which comes from doing a good job well. Those who are so rewarded have to carry the criticism of those who are usually not co-operative as well as that of those whose aims are not unselfish. The Sunday concerts did provide healthy entertainment during the winter months which was stimulating to those who contributed to the programmes. This effort met with public appreciation as was evidenced by the growth of the audience at each successive concert. It is to be hoped that under the helpful hand of Mr. Hawkins the town clerk and his officers, together with other needed helpers, will again make a similar effort next winter and so add a rich element to the cultural life of the city.